Sunderland were only able to take one point against West Brom over the weekend, held to a scoreless draw despite dominating most of the match.
Unfortunately for the Black Cats, draws won’t do as wins are necessary in their current situation. Sunderland sit 18th on the table, four points below Norwich City and Premier League safety.
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Manager Sam Allardyce is trying to avoid seeing his club relegated, something that has never happened in his long career. Big Sam has seen everything, but even he couldn’t remember a match in which his side was so good yet didn’t win. With a huge fixture against Leicester next weekend, Allardyce said he may need to look to the heavens for some good fortune.
I need to go back to church and start praying.
I can’t ever imagine in my long career dominating a game for so long, creating so many chances and not winning it.
It’s a cruel blow on the basis of the position that we’re in - in such desperate need that we are for points. We look very good at dealing with the pressure at the moment and I hope we can turn great performances into victories very shortly.
I want us to beat Leicester next week. Let’s go and upset the apple cart, hopefully play like this and beat them.
Allardyce would also praise the play of West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster, whose fine performance was the biggest reason Sunderland failed to find the win.
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After Sunderland’s clash with Leicester next weekend, Big Sam’s men face Norwich City in a massive six-pointer at Carrow Road. Allardyce will be hoping for a bit of divine intervention in that match, as a loss to the Canaries would likely see Sunderland’s survival hopes come crashing down.